Customer Reviews

The Glenn Gould Edition - Bach: The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book II

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Anyone considering a version of Book 2 of WTC should first read the reviews of various versions of Book 1. The listings for Glenn Gould's version will cover the range of opinions about Gould himself and his interpretive style. Clearly Gould is not for everyone. Yet I contend that without Gould (and Rosalyn Tureck) there would be far less playing of Bach during the past three decades. Furthermore, even if you prefer the more straightforward version of someone like Schiff (which I find a bit boring despite its technical brilliance) I would commend Gould to you for the purpose of hearing WTC in a different and imaginative way.

Gould learned Book 1 from his mother at a rather young age. He seems to have mastered Book 2 himself. In addition, by the time he recorded most of Book 2, the characteristics of his piano had changed. It had been damaged in an accident and when it was rebuilt, the action was a bit slower than it had been originally. This might account for the slightly slower tempos of Book 2, though it is equally possible that the more profound and spiritual nature of the music itself is responsible. In any event the preludes and especially the fugues of Book 2 seemed to interest Gould more than Book 1. He rarely performed anything from Book 1 after his complete recording, while he often performed selections from Book 2. For example, he has four versions that I could locate of the fugue in E major BWV 878 from Book 2. The performances each time are radically different from each other. On the recording of the complete WTC he takes the fugue very fast. On his video performance with Bruno Monsaingeon, for the CBC (and available on a Sony laser disc SLV 48426) he plays it at about half the speed. As a matter of fact, when Gould records a piece more than once, I have never found the performances to be the same.

The bottom line for me is whether you prefer Edwin Fisher's recording from the 1930's on EMI, or Richter's on Le Chant du Monde which has such a difficult sound but such a stimulating performance, or Schiff on Decca/London with what I consider to be his politically correct, though brilliant performance, or someone else, like Feltsman, you should include Book 2 played by Gould in your collection. Bach is so great that no single performance can plumb his depths. As you get to love this music more and more, you will simply have to own performances with multiple perspectives. This one must be among them - perhaps chief among them as it was for me.

This set of preludes and fugues is - in my opinion - of even greater emotional density than Part I. Almost every fugue has an unforgettable subject, played by Gould with great clarity and power, and yet there is always lightness in his interpretations (stemming most likely from his unsurpassed technique and "gut level" understanding of the spirt of Bach's music) which make this music soothing and energizing at the same time. Gould is world apart from heavy-handed, pedal-abusing, tempo-changing romantic interpretations of Bach. He is constrained and almost inhumanly precise, which allows him to convey the depth and power of Bach's masterpieces in the best possible way. I have never heard a better interpretation of the Well Tempered Clavier. I've been listening to this music for years and it never lost its emotional impact. And Gould's humming in the background brings the whole recording to a very personal, intimate level: he must have enjoyed those moments in the recording studio, and he must have loved the music he played. Glenn Gould is my hero!

The music of JS Bach is extremely interesting, and one thoughtful listening to his works has the power to change the way you hear and perceive music forever more. Bach's keyboard works are typically polyphonic, and that basically means two melodies, or more acurately stated, two musical thoughts, are presented simultaneously. The resulting musical edifice has the potential to sound like, how does one say? "too many notes". Because of the very nature of counterpoint, the simple elegance of Mozart, or the heart-tugging in-your-face-passion of Beethoven, are not as accessible to the average listener. But there is an unmistakable breadth and vitality found in Bach's musical counterpoint, conjoined with a unique grandeur and nobility, that can move and uplift the spirit in a way that is entirely unique.

The Well Tempered Clavier (WTC) consists of two books, both of which are comprised of a prelude and fugue written in each of the major and minor keys of western music. Because there are twelve major keys, and twelve related minor keys, each book of the WTC is comprised of 24 prelude and fugues. One enjoyable aspect of the WTC for the new listener is that, because all of the major and minor keys are presented in a systematic way, one is able to discern what is most appealing to the listener's unique sensibilities. Perhaps you will find that you prefer major to minor, or vice versa. Perhaps you will find a handful of key signatures that you think are preferable, and that can be the foundation for further exploration into other pieces of music written in the same key.

I own a number of recordings of J.S. Bach's WTC. I happen to like book II better than book I, and this rendition is undoubtedly my favorite of them all. Gould's sense of rhythm is impeccable, and it is that aspect that makes this recording so stunning. The pulse is extraordinary, the ornamentation is played with extreme verve, and Gould's technical abilities and musicianship are more than adequate to keep strict time throughout. I also really appreciate the fact that Gould keeps his foot off the pedal, unlike Richter, or Fischer, or any number of the other standard recordings. A powerful and distinct rhythmic momentum should be felt throughout these works. It is also essential to maintain the clarity of each voice, and the pedal, or reverberation in general, can obscure both rhythm and clarity in the context of polyphonic music. Gould is able to bring distinctness to each voice in a way that is entirely unique.

With that said, Gould does have some singular ideas about tempo. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. For an incredible example of when it works, listen to to his remarkable rendering of the prelude and the fugue in C#-Major. Both, but particularly the fugue, are taken at extremely slow tempos. The result is extraordinary. This is hands down my favorite recording of Bach's WTC. In my opinion, no other recording compares to this one.

Since buying CBS Records, Sony has quietly repackaged many of Glenn Gould's recordings so that the consumer effectively pays more money for the same amount of music. The Well-Tempered Clavier is a case in point. CBS sold the complete WTC (Books 1 and 2) on 3 CDs, while Sony sells them on four CDs as two separate volumes. Sony used similar ploys to "stretch" or otherwise dilute the English Suites, French Suites, and Keyboard Concertos - in each case, Sony seems to believe that less is more. That's less for you, more for them.

Five stars for Gould's performance, though.

If you can get by the sound of Gould's own voice as he hums throughout you will get to feast on the genius of Bach's counterpoint. I don't know that I've heard another performer more evenly and distinctly bring out each voice in Bach's keyboard works. The recordings have been excellently remastered from the early originals.

I feel that Bach's early music had a more effortless and sometimes wistful or inspired quality than his later works. However, his later works seem much deeper in thought and character and emotion and skill than the earlier ones. I would have to say that if forced to choose I take the later works (Amazing Mass in B minor, Art of Fugue) including the later set of Preludes and Fugues performed here by a Bach master. I would never force myself to make that choice, however. Pick this one up and hear the voices sing (including Gould's, ouch!).

Why is the Well-Tempered Clavier 2 not as famous as the first Well-Tempered Clavier? I dont know. But just to let you know, I prefer Glenn Goulds recording of this 2nd Clavier book over the first. There are many reasons. The first is that Glenn Gould takes a good tempo on almost all of the preludes and fugues, unlike on the first book. Dont get me wrong though, the first Well Tempered clavier vol. 1 recording is also one of my favorite recordings. The second reason is that he does a VERY GOOD job on bringing out the voices in the fugues of book 2. The third is that there is wonderful sound quality. There are also many other reasons, but I cant name them all right now. I just happen to like this recording better...HIGHLY reccomended.

"The Well-Tempered Clavier" is one of those pieces which I can't own enough performances of. I already own 5. So, I'm starting to taper off. But you bet I have Gould's performance. His Bach is something special. Not for everyone's taste. Some pieces he performs better than others. But he's always pretty exciting. I can't think of a piano version of the WTC that I'd recommend before this one. Highest recommendation.

I had a LP of Glenn Gould playing Bach's Well Tempered Clavier II around 1970.
The album cover accentuated the fact that Bach's keyboard works were being
played on a piano and how good Gould was at it.
I agreed with them, even with nothing, then or now, to compare it to
but I love it. It sounds like the same recording.

I also think it is Bach's exceptionally innovative works like this
that show how he inspired and influenced so many in western music
because these were written at such an early time in musical history.
(That title probably refers to Elliot Gould in "Mash", sorry,
but I thought it might have been on the album cover.)

I don't really understand why the second book of the Well tempered clavier and the Glenn Gould version in particular, is less loved than first. As bach work the second book is by far more intense and deep. As Gould interpretation is almost perfect, also less idiosyncratic, and astonishing...

Great joy to listen to, as all others by him playing Bach. Ive listened to this a million times and it is as exciting and illuminating as the first time.